Advocacy Alert: April 17, 2013

Act Now – Ask Your Senators to Support the IMLS Office of Museum Services!

Again this year, museum champion Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is circulating a letter urging the Senate Appropriations Committee to provide robust funding in FY14 for the Office of Museum Services (OMS) at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

House OMS Letter Sets New Record; Keep Momentum Going in the Senate! The House version of this year’s OMS appropriations letter has already closed and, while we’re still tabulating the final list of signers, we do know that a new record of at least 95 Representatives signed the letter.

“This year’s record-setting effort in the House of Representatives is a testament to the hard work of museum advocates nationwide,” said Alliance President Ford W. Bell. “But we can’t afford to lose any momentum, so I hope everyone will take one minute to contact their Senators today.”

The Office of Museum Services received $30.8 million in the FY12 appropriations cycle, but was cut to $29.2 million in FY13 as a result of across-the-board cuts known as “sequestration.” While President Obama has proposed increasing its budget in FY14, the Office of Museum Services’ funding will ultimately be decided by Congress, so it is imperative that legislators hear from their constituents.